Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Gregg · 11-09-2002, 10:04 PM

I have one:

Lord of the Dance by Sydney Carter: I like this song because it captures the Christ figure as it should be understood, as Myth. It's more about life and rebirth, and about the human spirit overcoming pain, darkness, and oppression, than it is about dogma and doctrine. Plus, the tune is infectious.

I danced in the morning when the world was begun
And I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun
And I came down from heaven and I danced on the Earth
In Bethlehem I had my birth.

(Chorus)
Dance, then, wherever you may be
I am the Lord of the Dance, said he;
I'll lead you all wherever you may be
I will lead you all in the Dance, said he.

I danced for the scribe and the Pharisee
But they would not dance and they wouldn't follow me.
I danced for the fishermen, for James and John,
They came with me and the dance went on.

(Chorus)

I danced on the Sabbath and I healed the lame
The holy people, they said it was a shame.
They whipped and they stripped and they hung me high
And they left me there on a cross to die.

(Chorus)

I danced on a Friday when the sky turned black
It's hard to dance with the devil on your back.
They buried my body and they thought I'd gone,
But I am the Dance and I still go on.

(Chorus)

They cut me down and I leapt up high
I am the life that'll never, never die
I'll live in you if you'll live in me,
I am the Lord of the Dance, said he.

(Chorus)

Gregg

GH · 11-09-2002, 10:23 PM

I like a lot of the stuff for organ by Bach. Wachet auf; Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring; stuff like that.

If you want one with words (since I don't know of any words to the Bach stuff), I'll have to go with All Things Dull and Ugly by Monty Python.

Gregg · 11-09-2002, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by GH:
<strong>I like a lot of the stuff for organ by Bach. Wachet auf; Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring; stuff like that.</strong>

Yep, say what you will about religion, it did inspire some awesome orchestral music.

Gregg

HelenM · 11-10-2002, 03:13 AM

Gregg I used to sing that in high school in England (it was an Anglican school so we had morning assembly or chapel every day with hymns) and I didn't like it at all then - I thought it was silly.

But I like it now because it's original and poetic and I agree with you in liking what it affirms.

As I sing the words of hymns in church I enjoy seeing what the authors of them wrote. Often I don't remember the words of the middle verses.

I like them better than contemporary Christian worship songs, almost without exception. The contemporary ones even if they do have some substance, seem to be little more than 'love songs to Jesus';the older ones have much more about affirming what I see as good character qualities, etc.

Another one I like, that I also sang in high school - it was in the same hymnbook as Lord of the Dance - i.e. the 100 more hymns book that is now part of Hymns Ancient and Modern, is this one - here's one verse from memory

When I needed a neighbour were you there, were you there
When I needed a neighbour were you there?
And the creed and the colour and the name won't matter
Were you there?

I suppose some people would say it's just a guilt-trip. Whatever

At least it challenges people to think about whether they are helping others...

As to my favorite song, I'd have to think about that. My favorite song tends to change over time and I'm not sure whether I have one right now

.

I do very much like the words of the second verse of "I vow to thee my country", fwiw. Which ends:

And soul by soul and silently her shining bounds increase
and her ways are ways of gentleness and all her paths are peace.

I know people here wouldn't agree that's an accurate description of the Kingdom of God

. But I do like those words very much...

take care
Helen

daria · 11-10-2002, 08:29 AM

There is one religious song I like, not because of its content anymore, but because it is so well suited to my vocal capabilities. I don't even remember the title, but I could still sing it, even without the tape... In college, I sometimes used it to help warm up before I would start practicing music for my lessons. I miss performing.

GeoTheo · 11-10-2002, 02:47 PM

HelenM,
I listen to classic rock, so you would think I wouldn't have a problem with contemporary Christian music but I do. There is just somthing wrong with singing to God in a sexy voice like he was your lover.

GeoTheo · 11-10-2002, 02:52 PM

Gregg,
I heard that song for the first time a few weeks ago, visiting a Presbyterian Church. I guess the reason the Baptists don't sing it because of the dancing part.
My favorite hym is "A mighty Fortess is Our God"
I like singing it really loud.

Marduk · 11-10-2002, 02:58 PM

"Yep, say what you will about religion, it did inspire some awesome orchestral music"

Yes, Handel's Messiah is good to, and lots of Christmas Carols!

KnightWhoSaysNi · 11-10-2002, 03:12 PM

Losing My Religion -- REM

Brian63 · 11-10-2002, 03:20 PM

I may be getting the artists and/or titles wrong, but there are 2 Christian songs that I really like:

"Giving it all" by Rachel Lampa (I think she's the chick that was a devout Christian, then got herself pregnant as a teen, and is now back on the contemporary Christian music scene)

"Oceans" by Audio Adrenaline

Brian

11-09-2002, 10:04 PM	#1
Gregg Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 1,877	Anyone got a favorite religious song? I have one: Lord of the Dance by Sydney Carter: I like this song because it captures the Christ figure as it should be understood, as Myth. It's more about life and rebirth, and about the human spirit overcoming pain, darkness, and oppression, than it is about dogma and doctrine. Plus, the tune is infectious. I danced in the morning when the world was begun And I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun And I came down from heaven and I danced on the Earth In Bethlehem I had my birth. (Chorus) Dance, then, wherever you may be I am the Lord of the Dance, said he; I'll lead you all wherever you may be I will lead you all in the Dance, said he. I danced for the scribe and the Pharisee But they would not dance and they wouldn't follow me. I danced for the fishermen, for James and John, They came with me and the dance went on. (Chorus) I danced on the Sabbath and I healed the lame The holy people, they said it was a shame. They whipped and they stripped and they hung me high And they left me there on a cross to die. (Chorus) I danced on a Friday when the sky turned black It's hard to dance with the devil on your back. They buried my body and they thought I'd gone, But I am the Dance and I still go on. (Chorus) They cut me down and I leapt up high I am the life that'll never, never die I'll live in you if you'll live in me, I am the Lord of the Dance, said he. (Chorus) Gregg

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11-09-2002, 10:23 PM	#2
GH Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Georgia, USA Posts: 80	I like a lot of the stuff for organ by Bach. Wachet auf; Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring; stuff like that. If you want one with words (since I don't know of any words to the Bach stuff), I'll have to go with All Things Dull and Ugly by Monty Python.

11-10-2002, 03:13 AM	#4
HelenM Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Ill Posts: 6,577	Gregg I used to sing that in high school in England (it was an Anglican school so we had morning assembly or chapel every day with hymns) and I didn't like it at all then - I thought it was silly. But I like it now because it's original and poetic and I agree with you in liking what it affirms. As I sing the words of hymns in church I enjoy seeing what the authors of them wrote. Often I don't remember the words of the middle verses. I like them better than contemporary Christian worship songs, almost without exception. The contemporary ones even if they do have some substance, seem to be little more than 'love songs to Jesus';the older ones have much more about affirming what I see as good character qualities, etc. Another one I like, that I also sang in high school - it was in the same hymnbook as Lord of the Dance - i.e. the 100 more hymns book that is now part of Hymns Ancient and Modern, is this one - here's one verse from memory When I needed a neighbour were you there, were you there When I needed a neighbour were you there? And the creed and the colour and the name won't matter Were you there? I suppose some people would say it's just a guilt-trip. Whatever At least it challenges people to think about whether they are helping others... As to my favorite song, I'd have to think about that. My favorite song tends to change over time and I'm not sure whether I have one right now . I do very much like the words of the second verse of "I vow to thee my country", fwiw. Which ends: And soul by soul and silently her shining bounds increase and her ways are ways of gentleness and all her paths are peace. I know people here wouldn't agree that's an accurate description of the Kingdom of God . But I do like those words very much... take care Helen

11-10-2002, 08:29 AM	#5
daria Regular Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: VA Posts: 146	There is one religious song I like, not because of its content anymore, but because it is so well suited to my vocal capabilities. I don't even remember the title, but I could still sing it, even without the tape... In college, I sometimes used it to help warm up before I would start practicing music for my lessons. I miss performing.

11-10-2002, 02:47 PM	#6
GeoTheo Veteran Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Bemidji Posts: 1,197	HelenM, I listen to classic rock, so you would think I wouldn't have a problem with contemporary Christian music but I do. There is just somthing wrong with singing to God in a sexy voice like he was your lover.

11-10-2002, 02:52 PM	#7
GeoTheo Veteran Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Bemidji Posts: 1,197	Gregg, I heard that song for the first time a few weeks ago, visiting a Presbyterian Church. I guess the reason the Baptists don't sing it because of the dancing part. My favorite hym is "A mighty Fortess is Our God" I like singing it really loud.

11-10-2002, 02:58 PM	#8
Marduk Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: the 10th planet Posts: 5,065	"Yep, say what you will about religion, it did inspire some awesome orchestral music" Yes, Handel's Messiah is good to, and lots of Christmas Carols!

11-10-2002, 03:12 PM	#9
KnightWhoSaysNi Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Edmonton, Canada Posts: 2,767	Losing My Religion -- REM

11-10-2002, 03:20 PM	#10
Brian63 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: My own little fantasy world Posts: 8,911	I may be getting the artists and/or titles wrong, but there are 2 Christian songs that I really like: "Giving it all" by Rachel Lampa (I think she's the chick that was a devout Christian, then got herself pregnant as a teen, and is now back on the contemporary Christian music scene) "Oceans" by Audio Adrenaline Brian

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